West Seattle Crime Watch: Bank-holdup followup; teen robbed…
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight and a reminder.
BANK-ROBBERY FOLLOWUP: First, we followed up on Friday evening’s Washington Federal bank robbery north of The Junction, inquiring with both Seattle Police and the FBI, hoping they would have surveillance images to circulate. So far, none have been made available. Police had only a bare-bones report available; it describes the robber as a white man estimated to be between 40 to 60 years old. The report says the “handgun” shown by the robber might have been plastic, and that he might have fled to a sedan in the alley. We also heard from a reader who says she was in the bank when the robbery happened and offered additional descriptive details: That the robber wore “a plastic, full faced Halloween mask, not a ski mask. He had gloves on … no taller than 5’6”. thin build. walked in stealthily … gruff voice.” If you have any information, call 911.
PHONE ROBBERY: Later Friday night, a 13-year-old girl was robbed of her cell phone while walking near Southwest Athletic Complex, on her way back to the late-night teen program at Southwest Teen Life Center. One of her parents e-mailed us to share details; the victim was holding her cell phone, says the parent, when a group of girls asked her for it – she refused, but one girl pulled her hair and the other one grabbed the phone and they ran off. She wasn’t otherwise hurt, and they did file a report with police, but not until the next day, because at first the victim was embarrassed to tell her parent what had happened, since she had checked out of the program without getting permission. The parent says there’s one more sad part: The phone was her last gift from her other parent before that parent became critically ill, “and now it’s gone.” The message for other teens: “Rules are put there to protect them and they need to follow them … people do horrible things … walk in groups, don’t take out (your) cell phone.”
REMINDER: Tomorrow (Tuesday) night is the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, and this time instead of a guest presentation, it’s all about recent trends and your concerns. If you have a question or concern for local police, be there – 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).
Video: Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release season, midway through
This year’s salmon-release season at Fauntleroy Creek is at the midpoint, reports watershed/creek steward Judy Pickens: “We’ve hosted some 350 children so far, who have introduced an estimated
900 coho fry into the creek.” She shared that short video clip, recorded by volunteer Peggy Cummings during the KapKa Cooperative School‘s salmon-release visit. That’s volunteer Dennis Hinton helping the students in/by the water, and mostly off-camera, that’s the voice of KapKa staffer Jamie Shilling, leading the singing and drumming. This week and next, nine school visits remain before this year’s round of releases is done (here’s our coverage of the season’s first one).
How small can a lot be? How big a home can a ‘small lot’ hold? City Council passes rules
Two years after neighborhoods around the city started sounding the alarm about what became known as small-lot development, the City Council has passed new rules to regulate it.
While the final vote on the bill was unanimous, the votes on two amendments were not – with one regarding developable lot size approved by a 6-3 vote, and one limiting height passing 5-4. That one was proposed by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who later said that zoning rules for small-lot development were “not about keeping people out, but about welcoming people in” within the context of neighborhoods’ existing character.
Those speaking in the public-comment period that started the council meeting included West Seattleites from the Benchview neighborhood, which has been prominent in the small-lot fight for a year and a half, since discovering a house on an 11,500-square-foot corner lot had been sold, after its owner’s death, to developers who planned to split it into three and add two new houses. Benchview residents took their concerns to court; while the judge partly sided with them, the city allowed a lot split and the new owners began building the houses, one of which was featured in neighbors’ projected-video protest this past weekend. (While some development advocates contend small-lot development is more affordable and environmentally friendly because the houses are “smaller,” the new Benchview houses are 3,162 square feet and 2,624 square feet; the pre-existing home is 2,380 sf.)
One of the earlier briefings on the city zoning changes even cited the Benchview case as one that would not have been allowed under the new rules, which will regulate lot sizes and shapes as well as characteristics of homes on the smallest lots. Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who chairs the Planning/Land Use/Sustainability Committee, said he expects followup legislation including some rules for neighborhood notification of lot-split proposals.
West Seattle scene: Orange water = non-toxic noctiluca’s back
Thanks to Leslie and Paul (whose photo is above) for word that the non-toxic microorganisms known as noctiluca have returned to West Seattle waters. When the weather and water warm up, this type of bloom tends to show up, rendering the water an alarming orange-ish-red, but authorities assure us it’s not toxic to humans or animals. It’s been almost exactly a year since the first reports of noctiluca in spring/summer 2013; it also showed up in June. This state webpage has more information as well as an e-mail address for a researcher who would like to hear about it when you see it.
Newest Metro-money proposal: Parking tax and ‘head tax’
(Added: Seattle Channel video of the Sawant/Licata announcement)
Two Seattle City Councilmembers say they have a different idea for raising tax money to avoid Metro Transit cuts. Less than a week after Mayor Murray unveiled his sales-tax/car-tab-tax plan, Councilmembers Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant have just announced that they are asking city staff to draft a proposal to raise money through a commercial-parking tax and the return of the so-called “head tax,” repealed in 2009 amid claims it hampered job growth. Those taxes could be imposed by a council vote. (They’re among the alternatives listed in the online poll the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is running until tomorrow; parking tax is currently the top vote-getter, head tax second from last.) They would not fully replace Murray’s proposal, though, reports The Seattle Times (WSB partner); they would replace the proposed sales-tax increase, but a car-tab tax would still go to voters. Here’s the official Licata/Sawant announcement:
Councilmember Nick Licata and Councilmember Kshama Sawant and individuals representing working people, elderly, disabled, students, and people of color announced their plan today to address proposed cuts to Seattle Metro bus service. The proposed plan would use a Commercial Parking Tax increase and an Employer Head Tax to prevent devastating cuts to transit.
With the failure of Proposition 1 on April 22, King County Metro will implement the first of four planned rounds of bus service cuts. If all of these cuts happen, 16% of bus service, or 550,000 annual service hours, will disappear.
“If approved by Council, the Mayor’s proposal will go to the ballot in November, but not in time to prevent the first round of cuts. These initial cuts, and the funding that would kick in if ‘Plan C’ were approved, places a burden on poor and working people,” said Licata. “There are other options, and they are options that don’t expose our most vulnerable populations to more regressive taxation. The City Council has the ability to implement an Employer’s Head Tax and increase the commercial parking tax to fund public transportation,” Licata added. “If the City Council moves on this, we can prevent devastating cuts. I have asked our policy staff to research exactly how much revenue could be raised through these means, and to begin drafting legislation to introduce to the City Council.”
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Followup: Charlestown hill traction work moves up; Genesee still set for tomorrow
When the city announced a week ago that three stretches of West Seattle roadway would get traction-improvement work this month (along with other areas of the city), there was a warning that the dates were “subject to change.” Indeed, one date did change – thanks to Paula and Marc for the heads-up; in case you missed the mention in today’s traffic/transit watch, here’s your standalone advisory that the SW Charlestown traction-improvement work west of California SW, originally planned for this Thursday/Friday, is under way NOW. Side streets are all marked a block to the north and south with signage warning that access is for residents only. It’s expected to take two days.
The first West Seattle project on the list, Olson Place, happened as announced, over the weekend; we asked SDOT if the Charlestown acceleration would affect the remaining West Seattle project, SW Genesee east of Avalon Way, but spokesperson Marybeth Turner says Genesee is still scheduled to start tomorrow.
West Seattle development: City decisions for 2 more Junction projects, including 36-unit, no-parking 4535 44th SW
From this morning’s city Land Use Information Bulletin, approvals for two more Junction projects, including one that drew community concern for its lack of offstreet parking:
(Rendering: NK Architects)
4535 44TH SW: Back in November, this project, Lofts at The Junction, was the subject of a community-petitioned meeting, requested by neighbors concerned mostly about its 36 apartments/two live-work units having been proposed without any offstreet parking, as allowed by city zoning because of the proximity of frequent transit. The Department of Planning and Development has now ruled that it does not require a full environmental review, and has made a Determination of Non-Significance; here’s the announcement; here’s the decision (which also summarizes comments received about the project, including Design Review and the aforementioned requested-by-petition meeting). This starts the clock on a 2-week period for appeals (info here). The project had its final Southwest Design Review Board meeting last December.
4433 42nd SW: A similar decision has been announced for this four-story, 78-apartment/two-live-work-unit project, Junction Flats, planned with 53 offstreet-parking spaces. See the notice here; the decision details are here. June 2nd is the appeal deadline for this (info here) as well. This project finished Design Review in January.
Kathleen O’Toole announced as next Seattle Police chief, will be first female SPD chief if confirmed
Mayor Murray has just appeared at City Hall with his choice for Seattle Police Chief, Kathleen O’Toole, who will be the first female SPD chief if confirmed.
Speaking after Murray’s announcement, O’Toole said she has four themes:
*Public trust – “work tirelessly to restore” (it)
*Restore department pride – “if people make honest mistakes we’ll stand by them”
*Crime and quality of life – “I think we need to develop a plan for each neighborhood in this city,” including violence prevention
*Good business – “we’re running a large organization … we need to do it efficiently and effectively as possible”
In questions post-announcement, she said she hopes to visit the precincts often. “No one person can change this organization – it will be a collective, collaborative effort,” she added. And she called the job “the icing on the cake [for her career] not a stepping stone. … I love the fact that this city is an innovation city, second to none.”
As of this writing at 10:19 am, she’s still answering media questions (live stream here; we’ll add the video when it’s available later). You can read more about her in this recent Seattle Times (WSB partner) profile.
ADDED 4:45 PM: As promised, city-produced video of the announcement:
The mayor’s news release is here.
ADDED 5:57 PM: Read even more about the new chief, including the fact she doesn’t drink coffee, on SPD Blotter.
From City Hall to Camp Long: Previewing your West Seattle Monday
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for sharing two photos (see the one below, next to a somewhat related event listing!) of a baby dark-eyed junco requesting, and receiving, food from Dad. Watch out for baby wildlife in the park and elsewhere this time of year! And now – a few things from the calendar for today/tonight:
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES @ CITY HALL: Two items in which West Seattle neighborhood advocates have been active – during its regular 2 pm meeting, the City Council will consider amending and voting on new rules for “small-lot” development, as the Benchview neighborhood pointed out over the weekend. Documents are linked on the agenda (item #2). The meeting will start with a public-comment period for that and/or anything else on the agenda. Then at 5:30 pm, also at City Hall, it’s the official public hearing on rules regarding so-called “microhousing” (small apartments gathered around shared space that usually includes a communal kitchen); here’s our most-recent preview; here’s the official notice, which includes information on how to comment if you can’t go to tonight’s hearing. (600 4th Avenue)
LOU WHITTAKER AT WSHS: The renowned mountaineer speaks at the West Seattle High School Theater at 6:30 pm, benefiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
CELEBRATING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: The community is invited to help Lodge 152 congratulate local students for a job well done:
Alki Masonic Lodge’s #152 annual School Awards Presentation will take place (tonight) at Alki Masonic Center, 4036 40th Ave SW. Each year, the Masons present awards to outstanding high school juniors from West Seattle High School, and Chief Sealth International High School. This year an additional Scholarship will be presented to one outstanding senior from last years recipients. The awards ceremony begins promptly at 7:00 pm in the main lodge room, and will be followed by light refreshments in the banquet hall.
(40th/Edmunds)
(2nd of 2 photos by Trileigh Tucker)
NATURE EDUCATION: Announced as being for “families, educators and anyone working with young children,” the West Seattle Preschool Association and Vashon Wilderness Program offer “a fun evening in nature” at Camp Long‘s Pollywog Pond tonight, 7-9 pm, free but you’re asked to register here: “Connecting young people with nature has become essential as humans are increasingly disconnecting with the natural world. Join Vashon Wilderness Program’s Executive Director for a lively interactive presentation on nature education for the young child and learn the essential Keys to Deep Nature Connection Mentoring that stimulate learning, health and vitality. This program combines lecture and experiential learning, and a portion of it will take place outside. Please come dressed for the weather and prepared to move.” (5200 35th SW)
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday info and alerts
(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
An alert if you drive 1st Avenue South to get downtown – SDOT says signals are out in the stadium area for maintenance, so that’s going to slow things down:
SDOT says two signals on Alaskan Way are involved too, so don’t detour that way.
7:46 AM: West Seattle neighborhood traffic alert – though SDOT’s announcement of dates for traction-improvement work on local roads didn’t have Charlestown hill west of California SW scheduled until later this week, area resident Paula says the closure is being set up right now.
7:54 AM: Update from SDOT on those downtown signals:
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